Who Should I Start? Tyrod Taylor or C.J. Stroud

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts.	Rush. Yds.	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec TD
0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Tyrod Taylor News

Justin Fields Inactive, Tyrod Taylor Active as Backup QB in Week 16

Sunday, December 21, 12:06 PM

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, while Tyrod Taylor (groin, knee) will be active as the QB2 behind undrafted rookie Brady Cook. Both quarterbacks were questionable heading into Sunday, with Fields' status more in doubt after being limited in practice this week. As a result, the 2021 first-round pick will at least serve as the emergency QB3 in Week 16. Taylor was expected to serve as the backup to Cook after logging a full practice on Friday. Cook shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option against a New Orleans Saints defense that has been stingy against the pass in recent weeks. In his NFL debut last weekend, Cook threw three interceptions with just one passing score and 176 passing yards.

C.J. Stroud - Houston (QB)

START

Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts.	Rush. Yds.	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec TD
18.2	9.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0

C.J. Stroud News

Texans Sticking With C.J. Stroud as Their Starting QB

Tuesday, February 24, 7:36 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that any talk about trading quarterback C.J. Stroud is "moronic," according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Caserio said that Stroud will be the team's starting QB in 2026. Stroud was a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign in 2023, but he has regressed each of the last two seasons. The 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season games in 2025 to finish as the QB21 in overall fantasy points. He was much worse in two playoff games, going 41-for-79 passing for 462 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also lost two fumbles. The one positive takeaway from 2025 is that Stroud had a career-high completion percentage. He's still young enough to bounce back, but fantasy managers shouldn't feel comfortable rolling with him as their QB1 in 2026.

Tyrod Taylor vs. C.J. Stroud

Still trying to decide between Taylor and Stroud? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tyrod Taylor is projected to score 0.0 points this week while C.J. Stroud is projected to score 18.2 points.